Altrincham forward Jimmy Knowles remains confident as his team prepares to face league leaders Boreham Wood in their upcoming National League fixture. The Robins, currently fourth in the standings, will visit Meadow Park aiming to halt Boreham Wood’s unbeaten run this season.

Altrincham arrive on the back of an impressive run of form, having won seven of their last eight matches—a start to the campaign not seen at this stage by the club in over 25 years. Knowles, who has scored four goals this season to become one of the team’s top scorers, played a key role in their midweek victory against bottom-placed Gateshead, netting a late winner. Despite his contribution, the 24-year-old missed a late penalty in the same match, an effort he described as disappointing.

“It wasn’t a very good effort but it’s one of those things and anyone can miss them,” Knowles said. He added that he remains willing to take penalties in future games, emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidence and focusing on the team’s overall success. Reflecting on last season’s 3-1 defeat at Boreham Wood, he noted that the current squad has developed significantly and expects a competitive match.

Boreham Wood, managed by Luke Garrard, hold a seven-point lead atop the National League table with a record of nine wins and two draws from 11 games. Their strong start follows last season’s close miss, when they were defeated in the play-off final shootout by Rochdale. Boreham Wood chairman Danny Hunter acknowledged the excitement surrounding the team’s early form but urged supporters to temper expectations.

“Great credit must go to Luke and the dressing room for the relentless way that they’ve gone about their work, not only over the last few months but the last three seasons,” Hunter said. He cautioned that the team is only a quarter of the way through the season and expects challenges ahead, noting that there will likely be “plenty of bumps in the road.”

As Altrincham seek to build on their current momentum and Boreham Wood aim to maintain their lead, the upcoming match at Meadow Park is poised to be a key encounter in the National League title race. Both teams will be looking to impress their supporters and continue their strong runs in what has already been an eventful campaign.